Dear Springs of Grace Church Family,

Grace and peace. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND ALL YOUR KINDNESS TO US THIS PAST 10 DAYS. The Lord has allowed me to recover quickly from COVID and I have cleared my quarantine. Rosa struggled a little more with the virus but is doing much better. We are very thankful. I am excited to preach from John 19 Sunday on the crucifixion of Jesus.

This Sunday, we will be having livestream only again. Oklahoma is currently third in the nation in the highest number of COVID cases and the reports from the hospitals are at record levels in Tulsa. I have spoken with several medical workers who have described a level of staffing shortage, which along with worker fatigue and the increase in hospitalizations that has them stretched more than ever. Please continue to pray for our medical workers. Pray for the vaccine rollout and for our community to practice the recommended safety precautions as expressions of love to our neighbors that will help – not only those with COVID – but others who might need hospital care. We are hoping to move back to having an in-person option next Sunday.

This Sunday, following the service, I will be doing a live zoom chat with any who want to ask questions, or I can try and moderate conversations with each other.

Please continue to pray for our nation and for Christians to live out the law of love – that we would truly love our neighbors as ourselves. Pray for the clarity of the biblical gospel and that, as Ryan reminded us last week, our hope is not in Nationalism but in the saving work of Jesus who transforms us into lovers of God and lovers of others. Please continue to pray for Jacob Frantz and his recovery. Pray for those in our church body who are sick. Pray for those who are struggling with other needs.

PLEASE plan on participating in PRAYER WEEK January 24-31. We will have daily prayer emphasis and opportunities for you to join together in prayer.

I want to also invite you to consider joining me and Jillian Hazel for a zoom book study discussion on the best book I’ve read (outside of the Bible) in the past couple of years. It is “Gentle and Lowly: Christ’s Heart for Sinners and Sufferers.” The book discussion will begin on February 2nd and will be each Tuesday night at 9:00 pm. If you would like to participate and would like the church to purchase you a book, just let me know and we will be happy to do so.

I am so thankful for how often the Lord has allowed us to gather together these past months and yet I’m trusting Him to bless the time Sunday in a way that overcomes the loss of not gathering physically together. Please join me at working hard to check on one another and help bear one another’s burdens and encourage one another during this difficult time.

Please pray for me, Pastor Joe, as share from God’s Word and join us for worship at 10:30 am Sunday by livestream. You can find the link to this week’s livestream service at our website – www.springsofgrace.church or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXfR2gJDxjU

If you have questions or needs, please let us know. Striving to be His church, by His grace, for His glory.

Love you very much and thanks again for all the expressions of prayer and love for us these past 10 days.

Pastor Joe